Over the span of decades, Kirkwood High School chose to protect their "reputation" over the safety and well-being of their students, forcing those abused at the hands of multiple teachers to remain silent and allowing the abusers to silently walk away (to other teaching jobs) or remain on staff. 

As Kirkwood alumni, we have compiled a list of policy changes that we urge the Kirkwood School Board to immediately address and implement prior to the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year.

1. Issue a formal apology to the victims, the victims’ families, student body and community. The sweeping of multiple sexual abuse incidents from past decades under the rug to protect the school’s reputation (rather than their students) is abhorrent and unacceptable, and we deserve an apology. 
2. Conduct a new investigation regarding reported events from 1970-2020, how they were handled, and have it completed with full transparency. This investigation should be led by qualified professionals who are impartial to the cause. Additionally, the district should mobilize a team of qualified therapists to provide support to the known and silent victims of these predators.
3. Demand accountability and reform: How is the Kirkwood School District going to reform and create oversight going forward to protect future students? We demand that a plan is developed to address these concerns, and that such a plan is open to feedback and collaboration from those in the community unto which it serves.
4. Implementing external oversight: What processes are going to be put in place to ensure students are listened to, investigations are started and followed through, and appropriate action is taken? What plans will be put in place to ensure that all students feel safe to disclose information without risk of retaliation?
5. Organize student assemblies at all Kirkwood Schools. An environment needs to be created where students can talk SAFELY about appropriate versus inappropriate behavior. All reports of sexual misconduct and/or any type of abuse of a child/student will be taken seriously and addressed with urgency by the administration.
6. Hire an outside organization with experience and skills in dealing with sexual abuse in institutions to lead a presentation and assembly with the purpose of educating students about grooming, inappropriate behavior, and how to report the inappropriate conduct when it occurs.
7. Implement ongoing conversation with young people about how to recognize predatory behavior and what to do when it happens to them or their friends. An emphasis needs to placed on describing how these situations can often occur for male and nonbinary people as well.
8. Cooperate with all criminal and civil investigations with full transparency, making all pertinent records and persons available to investigators. 
9. Kirkwood School District obtain a judgment that any NDAs related to claims of sexual abuse involving teachers are void as against public policy as it relates to preventing speech by the school district, administrators or former administrators, and any teachers or former teachers.

This request is sponsored by the following Kirkwood Alumni:

• Sara Swaty Roger, Class of 2007
• Katie Pappageorge, Class of 1999
• Parmela Plein, Class of 1984
• Donielle Williams, Class of 1997
• Ali Goldner Troy, Class of 2000
• Jessica Bueler, Class of 2000
• Kayla Wing, Class of 2006

Please note that any donations made through change.org are not sent towards the victims or organizations involved with this petition. They are sent directly to the change.org company and do not further the cause. If you are interested in donating to charitable organizations to help victims of sexual abuse, please consider searching for an organization that specializes in this.